Making the Most of Garden Space and Light

The challenge

The owners of this modern detached property in Market Harborough, Leicestershire wanted a complete redesign of their sloping garden.

One of their main priorities was to make it easily accessible and this meant creating separate, flat tiers with gentle steps linking the two levels. Our clients were also looking to spend more time in their garden and wanted an attractive and comfortable entertainment area with plenty of room for seating and tables.

The concept

First, we constructed a new hardwood raised decking platform next to the house. We positioned the platform just under the door level to eliminate the step down. The platform was built on pressure-treated timbers and fixed together with spax timber lock fixing screws. Under this, we used geotextile weed membrane to prevent growth from beneath the decking.

Grey multi sandstone paving flows from both sides of the decking, leading down into the garden and around to the back gate. We installed a new square patio, slightly raised from the lawn, to create space for entertaining and relaxing in the garden.

The paving was bordered with grey pennant setts to highlight the patio and give it a defined finish. We grouted all the paving with an eco-fill grouting compound to stop weeds growing between the joints of the stones. The paving was laid onto full mortar beds to give strength and prevent future movement.

To retain and give access to all levels of the garden, we built new walling and low steps. The walling was supported with a concrete footing, approximately 230mm deep across the main walling and 150mm deep across the steps. All walls were lined with a damp proof membrane to prevent water sitting along the back.

In order to shape the flowerbeds and provide an easy maintenance edge to the lawn, we laid block edging around the garden. The new flowerbeds and lawn were filled with top soil. The new lawn was then levelled and compacted, to prevent settlement of the grass area.

Our planting scheme in the flowerbeds located around the garden was devised to bring height, scent, colour and all year-round interest to the landscape. Grasses, low-growing shrubs and cordylines were introduced to give varying shapes and textures to the design.

In our lighting plan, we included bollards with cool white LEDs to give subtle illumination along the back fence, seating areas and around the boundary of the garden.

Finally, a glass balustrade was installed across the front of the decking to create a safety barrier that also gives an open feel and lets in the light.

The conclusion

This contemporary garden design has made maximum use of natural light and space so the garden can be enjoyed for the longest periods of time each day by its owners. Then when the sun goes down, the LED lighting we incorporated means our clients can stay outdoors late into the evening – and the finished garden looks amazing by day and night.

Our clients (and their dogs) are extremely happy that they can now safely enjoy every corner of their outdoor space.